20 climbing routes at Varalukonda

For all those climbers who were looking for new climbing routes around Bangalore ,our team of experts from the academy Praveen CM , Pranesh M ,and Keerthi Pais have put up 20 climbing routes at Varalukonda , in Gudibande taluk of Chickballapur district .

Varalukonda hill is in Gudibande Taluk of Chickballapur district on Bangalore Hyderabad highway exactly 70km away from Bangalore.

The north and the south face of the hillock have good potential for lead climbing routes. There are cluster of boulders in plenty with very good problems on them.

The north face of the hillock is in shade for the entire day from October to February making it an ideal season to spend the entire day bouldering, scrambling and climbing big wall routes.

Technical info

“Good quality granite offering lots of vertical climbs, slabby climbs, some mildly overhanging possibilities and even a particularly attractive off-width climb – most of this is yet to be established. The rock offers a variety of features; mostly crimps, but some nice slopers and blobs, even certain sustained grooves facilitating interesting lay back climbs. If you’re good at high-stepping, then the climbing here gets all the more enjoyable; the predominant style on harder routes involves using crimps (sometimes bad ones) for balance and powerful high-stepping to pull through. The crag features climbing possibilities of many difficulties, but a good concentration of easier climbs, making it a great area for a first outdoor trip.

Warnings –

The routes need cleaning, so watch out for flakes – big and small. Also, there are beehives along a certain section on the wall, it might be prudent to stay away from that section, attractive as the climb may seem (it does), we’re still intruding.”

Potential –

Varalukonda has all that is needed for this place to be called a outdoor destination, the 20 odd bolted routes and the 20 boulders are just the beginning and has a huge potential on both the sides for biking, hiking, scrambling.

Amenities –

Make sure you take a lot of water as the water point is away from the climbing area. The last good restaurant on the road is KAMAT hotel about 8kms before Varalukonda There hasn’t been a lot of climbing activity yet t understand the local people and their approach towards activity.

Driving –

Best to travel in your own vehicles, there is enough parking place. Driving time is 45 minutes on a Sunday morning from Hebbal flyover.